Process of treating flour.



No- 759,651. PATENTED MAY 10, 1904. J. N. ALSOP.

PROCESS OF TREATING FLOUR.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 2, 1903. N0 MODEL.

PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.

J. N. ALSOP. PROCESS OF TREATING FLOUR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1003.

2 SHEBTS-BHEBT 2.

K0 MODEL.

Q a v UNITED STATES Patented May 10, 1904.

JAMES N. ALSOP, OF OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY.

PROCES$ OF TR EATiNG FLOUR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,651, dated May 10,1904.

Application filed June Z, 1903.' Serial No. 159,797- (No specimens.)

To a, whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES N. Amer, a citizen of the United States,residing at Owensboro, in the county of Davis and State of Kentucky,have invented new and useful Improvements in Processes of TreatingFlour,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a novel process of treating flour to purifythe same and increase the nutritive qualities thereof, and to this endresides, broadly, in subjecting flour to the action of a gaseous mediumwhich will operate to bleach or purify the flour and cause a reductionof the quantity of the carbohydrate contents and an increase in thequantity of the protein contents thereof. The gaseous medium which Iemploy is atmospheric air which has been subjected to the action of anare or flaming discharge of electricity. The resultant gas I havediscovered, first by laboratory experimentation and then by actualpractice on a commercial scale, to possess the property of causing amaterial decrease in the percentage of the carbohydrate contents of theflour subjected to its action and a practically corresponding increasein the proteids, thus greatly increasing the nutritive incontradistinction to the heat-giving qualities of the flour. I am notable to identify accurately by chemicalformula this gaseous medium. Ithas been determined by chemical analysis, however, that air treated inthe manner hereinafter described contains nitrogen peroxid (N02 orN20-l) and traces of ozone (O3) and is in a state of ionization-that isto say, the air is separated into atoms or combinations of atoms, whichare electrically charged, some negatively and some positively, and arethus in a condition to enter into new combinations.

In the art of milling it is a desideratum to manufacture flour whichshall be white in color, and flour practically white in color has beenproduced; but so far as I am aware such whitening of the flour has neverbeen effected without destroying to a large extent its nutritivequalities, or except by the use of acids or gases which make the floursubjected to the action thereof objectionable as a food product, owingto the deleterious qualities imparted to the flour by the bleachingagents employed.

I find in the practice of my process that flour subjected to the actionof air which has been subjected to the flaming discharge of electricitywill be bleached or purified, so as to render it white in color, andthis bleaching or purification of flour is effected without destroyingany of the nutritive qualities thereof, as shown by chemical analysis. Ihave also found that when portions of the treated and untreated flours,equal by Weight, are blended. with equal quantities of distilled waterthe two doughs thus formed are very different in consistency, that fromthe treated flour being apparently drier and much more elastic than thatfrom the untreated flour, the dough from the latter being short andrelatively non-elastic. When equal portions, by weight, of the twoflours are blended with water suflicient to make a dough suitable forbaking, it is found that the treated flour requires more water-from liveto seven per cent. more. I also find that the treated and untreatedflours from the same barrel when made into dough and baked will produceloaves of bread which upon being cut or broken show the same differencein color as was shown by the treated and untreated flours, the breadfrom the treated flour being much whiter.

I am unable to explain fully the reason for the change which is producedin thefiour by treating it according to my process; but chemicalanalyses of the treated flour have demonstrated that it is largely dueto the fact that there is a chemical combination of a relatively largeamount of nitrogen or nitrogenous compounds With the flour. It is alsobelieved that such chemical combination of the nitrogen with the flouris facilitated by producing a state of ionization of the air, and it ispossible that the ionized air itself in some other way acts upon theflour to assist inproducing the changes herein indicated. I will givethe result of two chemical analyses of the flour, the first made todetermine the extent and character of the change wrought in theconstitutents of the flour and the second made to determine the amountsof nitrogen which the untreated and treated flour, respectively,contains. Two samples of flour were submitted for analysis to aprofessorof chemistry in Columbian College, Washington, District of Columbia. Oneof these samples was taken from a batch of flour before its treatment bymy process and the other was taken from the same batch of flour afterits treatment by my process. The untreated flour showed the followingconstituents in the proportions named: water, 9.84; starch, &c.,74.11;proteids,&c., 14.99; ash, 0.44; fat, 0.62. The flour which had beentreated by my process showed the constituents in the followingproportions: water, 10.13; starch, &c., 62.24; proteids, &c. 26.71; ash,0.30; fat, 0.62. It will thus be seen that the flour which had beentreated showed an increase of 11.72 parts of proteids and a decrease of0. 14 parts of ash and of 11.87 parts of starch. The increase in theproportion of proteids relative to that of the other constituents of theflour, especially of starch and ash, is a highly-advantageous result, asflour having such proportion of proteids is of course far more nutritivethan the ordinary flour of commerce. As an incidental result of treatingthe flour by my process it is, as above stated, highly purified andwhitened. The second analysis of the flour was conducted by the Henryprofessor of physics of Princeton University and his assistantprofessor, and it was found that while the untreated flour containedfifty-four onethousandths of a gram of nitrogen per one gram of flourthe treated flour contained seventy-five one-thousandths of a gram ofnitrogen per one gram of flour.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, I haveillustrated in the accompanying drawings apparatus for carrying out theprocess.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a reel havingcombined therewith an apparatus for subjecting air to the disruptivedischarge of electricity, parts of which latter apparatus are insection. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section, on a larger scale, ofthe reel; and Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the same.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 indicates the apparatus by means ofwhich the air is subjected to the action of the electric are or flame,and 2 indicates the reel in which the flour is treated by the gaseousmedium produced in the apparatus 1. The said apparatus comprises a framehaving base-blocks 3, uprights 4, and transverse supporting-beams 5,which latter support in any suitably manner, by means of rods 6, aconduit 7 closed at its end and connected centrally to a pipe 8, whichin turn is operatively connected to an air-pump 9,having aneduction-pipe 10. Communicating with and extending upward from theconduit 7 are shown two tubes opened at their upper end, said tubesbeing indicated, respectively, by the numerals 11 and 12. EX tendingupward through the lower end of each tube is an electrode, indicated,respectively, by the numerals 13 and 14, said electrodes beingadjustably supported in holders 15 by meansof set-screws 16. Extendingdownward through the upper end of each tube is a movable electrode,these electrodes being'indicated, respectively, by the numerals 17 and18. The electrodes 17 and 18 are supported in anautomatically-adjustable manner. It may be here stated that theapparatus for subjecting air to the action of a flaming discharge ofelectricity forms the subject-matter of a separate app'lication,filedMay 29, 1903, Serial No. 159,383, and I have only shown the same hereinconventionally or in its simplest form in order to illustrate the mannerof carrying out the process forming the subject-matter of the presentapplication.

19 indicates movable supports in the lower ends of which electrodes 17and 18 are secured by means of binding-screws 20. Said supports areslidably mounted in guides 21, secured to the transverse frame members5, and at their upper ends are adjustably secured in plates 22 by meansof the binding-screws 23,

said plates being of non-conducting material.

24 indicates a frame or cross-head which is adapted to have a verticalmovement, said cross-head or frame 24 carrying at opposite sidescylinders 26, which are adapted to contain oil. Working in each of saidcylinders is a piston 27, which is connected by a pistonrod to the plate22.

29 indicates pitmen which are connected at their lower ends to therespective cross-heads 24 and at their upper ends are connected toopposite ends of the walking-beam 30, which is centrally and pivotallymounted on a support 31, rising from the frame of the machine. Thewalking-beam 30 is provided with a centrally-projecting arm 32,pivotally secured to which is a rod 33, by means of which thewalking-beam is adapted to be rocked back and forth in the usual manner,the rod 33 being reciprocated by any suitable mechanical means such as acrank, eccentric, or the like-which means need not be particularlyreferred to. It will be seen that as the walking-beam is 0perated one ofthe electrodessay 17 will be moved downward, while the other, 18, willbe moved upward.

The current for producing the arcs between the electrodes is supplied bya dynamo 34, from which lead wires 35 and 36. Beginning with the wire 36said wire passes to the electrode 14 and then over to the electrode 13.

The other wire of the dynamo leads to a coil the movable electrodes 17and 18.

The operation of this apparatus is as foltial.

lows: Assuming the parts to be in the posi tions shown in Fig, 1, thecurrent is now passing through the electrodes 13 and 17. As thewalking-beam 30 is operated to raise the electhe action of the air-pump9 and is delivered by said air-pump through the eduction-pipe 10 to thereel 2. As the electrode 17 continues to rise the electrode 18 will ofcourse be correspondingly lowered, and the are between the electrodes 17and 13 will be maintained until the electrode 18 comes in contact withthe electrode 14, when the current will be short-circuited through thelatter electrodes and the are between the electrodes 17 and 13 will beextinguished. The same operation will be repeated as the electrode 18 israised, the are being maintained until the electrodes 17 and 13 come incontact, or in the position in which they are shown in the drawings,when the current will be again short-eircuited to the tube 11 and theare between the electrodes 18 and 1 1 will be extinguished.

In treating air by this apparatus I am enabled to employ a current ofvery low poten- T have found, however, that with the low-potentialcurrent some means must be provided for feeding the are, or, in otherwords, to meet the increased resistance offered as the electrodes aremoved farther apart. This requirement I meet by the introduction intothe circuit of the self-induction coil 38, the action of which is asfollows: When either pair of the electrodes is brought together, therebycausing short-circuiting of the electrifying apparatus, the coil 38 isexcited to a high degree of magnetism, and as the electrodes are pulledapart and are followed by the are or flash, which increases theresistance of the circuit, the strength of the magnetism of the coilwill be diminished. This change in the strength of the magnetismgenerates an extra current in the circuit or coil in the same directionas the original current and proportional in strength to the magneticchange, all as is well known. As the electrodes are drawn apart to formarcs the resistance of the circuit is additionally increased, causingthe strength of magnetism in the coil to be additionally diminished,thereby causing the potential at the electrodes to rise to the necessarystrength to meet the resistance of the air or gas between them, as thedistance between the electrodes is increased until the opposite pair ofelectrodes are brought together and short-circuits said arcs. Thecontact of the electrodes lasts for an appreciable length of time, andthe time during which the electrodes are in actual contact is suflicientto enable the coil 38 to become thoroughly saturated with electricity.As a result when the electrodes are separated to draw off the are thepotential of the current is increased in the manner heretoforeexplained, and not only so, but the arc is fed with current andprevented from appreciable attenuation and maintained at a practicallyuniform density, which is the maximum density obtainable at the time.This may be further explained by stating that in practice the are drawnoff rarely exceeds four and one-half inches in length, whereas with amachine operating under the conditions herein described an arc eighteeninches can be drawn oil before the arcing distance is passed. seen thatI produce an arc, maintain the same at its maximum density and withoutappreciable attenuation, and short-circuit the are while in thiscondition.

The amount of the gaseous medium produced in a given time will be inproportion, to the number of amperes of electricity used, the potentialat which it is passed through the apparatus, and the amount of air drawnthrough the tubes by the air-pump.

The eduction-pipe 10 from the pump 9 communicates with the interior ofthe reel through the medium of a pipe 39, whichis journaled in the endof a coupling 40, screwed in the end of the pipe 10. The reel 2 as awhole is mounted at opposite ends in bearings 41, supported in asuitable manner in a frame 42.

In carrying my invention into effect I find it advantageous to subjectthe flour to the action of the gaseous medium within an airtightinclosure. For this purpose the reel 2, which, as shown, is preferablyhexagonal in cross-section, is formed of wood or other suitable materialand closed on all sides and at the ends except where the flour entersand leaves. Within the reel 1 provide a series of longitudinal ribs 43,which extend from end to end of the reel, said ribs projecting inwardlyfrom the inner side of the reel and one of said ribs being provided foreach side of the reel. These ribs are for the purpose of elevating theHour as the reel revolves and then discharging the same, so as the Hourmay be thoroughly brought into contact with the gaseous medium suppliedfrom the apparatus 1. At each end of the reel a central cylindricalextension 44: is provided, which forms the journals of the reel, saidextension being mounted in the bearings 41. J ournaled within eachextension 14 of the reel and suitably supported by the frame is acasing, said casings being denoted, respectively, by the numerals l5 and16. The casing 45 communicates with the interior of the reel and isprovided on its upper side with an opening 47, through which the flouris supplied to the reel. The outer end of the casing 45 is per- Thus itwill be forated to receive the pipe 39 and has further ,1 I

secured to its end a bearing 48 for said pipe. Mounted on the pipe 39 inany suitable manner is a worm conveyer 50, the length of which is aboutequal to that of the casing 45 that is to say, it projects slightlywithin the reel 2. The casing 46 is provided on its under side with adownward extension 51, which forms a pipe or chute to permit of thedischarge of the flour from the reel. The pipe 39 extends throughout thelength of the reel and through the outer end of the casing 46, whichlatter is provided on said outer end with a bearing 52 for the pipe. Theouter end of the pipe 39 is closed by a cap 53. The casing 46communicates with the interior of the reel, and within said casing isprovided a worm-conveyer 54, which is mounted in any suitable mannerupon the pipe 39. Supported on the inner end of the casing 46 andprojecting a considerable distance into the reel 2 is a semicirculartrough 55, open on its upper side, and within which trough a portion ofthe conveyer 54 revolves. At this end of the reel I provide extensions56 of the ribs 43, said extensions projecting inward to within a shortdistance of the edge of the wormconveyer and the purpose of theseextensions being to lift the flour as the reel revolves and drop it intothe trough 55, whereby the worm-conveyer 54 will draw it through thecasing 46 and discharge it through the outlet 51. I also form thedischarge end of the reel of a circular shape in cross-section, asindicated by the hatched portion at 57, whereby a belt or belts may beapplied to the reel for the purpose of revolving it. At the opposite endof the reel the pipe 39 is provided with a pulley 58,where by said pipe,with its worm-conveyers 51 and 54, may be revolved. The pipe 39 isprovided at suitable intervals in the portion thereof within the reelwith apertures 59, which are preferably spirally arranged around thepipe, these apertures being for the purpose of permitting the gaseousmedium to be discharged into the interior of the reel.

In operation flour is applied to the reel through the opening 47 and isconveyed by the worm 50 to the interior of the reel, which, as shown, isarranged in an inclined position. At the same time the apparatus 1 isplaced in operation and the pump 9 delivers the gaseous medium throughthe pipes 10 and 39 to the interior of the reel, and as said reelrevolves the flour is constantly lifted up by and discharged off of thevarious ribs 43, whereby it is continuously agitated and brought intointimate contact with the gaseous medium discharged into the interior ofthe reel through the apertures 59. This continues as the flour passesfrom the inlet to the discharge end of the reel, and at said dischargeend of the reel the extension-ribs 56 lift the flour and discharge itinto the trough 55, and the conveyer 54 causes it to be dischargedthrough the spout 51.

While 1 have described the reel 2 as being air-tight, except for theinlet and discharge openings for the flour, I wish it understood that myprocess is not limited to treating flour in a closed or air-tightchamber or reel, but I may treat the flour according to my process in areel provided with the ordinary bolting cloths or screens-that is tosay, having sides of foraminous material.

In actual practice a large number of barrels of flour per day may betreated according to my process, and, in fact, the output of flourtreated by my process is substantially only limited by. the capacity ofthe mill, as my process does not to any material extent delay theoutput, the flour being passed continuously through the reel 2.

In practice I find that with the quantity of air drawn through theapparatus 1 being constant I can increase the effective workingqualities of the gaseous medium by an increase in the amperage of thecurrent. With a constant potential of five hundred volts I have used acurrent of from seven to ten amperes. The amperage of the current is ofcourse regulated by increasing or decreasing the resistance of theinduction-coil or by increasing or decreasing the voltage of the dynamooperating.

I have indicated the advantages derived from the use of my process, andit only remains to emphasize the fact that the flour treated by myprocess is improved in the particulars noted without having any of itsqualities as a food product impaired; but, on the contrary, the resultof the process is to greatly increase the value of the flour as a foodproduct.

I have herein described my process as applied to the treatment of flour.I wish it understood, however, that said process may be applied to thetreatment of the ground procluct of cereals other than wheat, and theterm flour used in the claims is intended to have such genericapplication.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. Theprocess which consists in treating flour with a body of air as modifiedby the flaming electric discharge.

2. The process which consists in agitating flour and simultaneouslytreating the same with a body of air as modified by the flaming electricdischarge.

3. The process of treating flour which consists in subjecting the sameto the action of air which in turn has been subjected to the action ofan intermittently-drawn-out electric arc.

4. The process of treating flour which consists in subjecting the sameto the action of air which in turn has been subjected to the action ofan electric discharge capable of ionizing the air and producingnitrogen-oxygen combinations therefrom.

5. The process of treating flour, which consists in subjecting air tocontact with an interrupted flaming electric arc of high-current densityand introducing air thus modified into the presence of the flour, forthe purpose described.

6. The process of treating flour which consists in subjecting air to theaction of an electric are adapted to produce nitrogen-oxygencombinations therefrom and introducing the air thus modified into thepresence of the flour in quantities sufiicient to convert part of thestarch thereof into proteids.

7. The process of treating flour which 0011- sists in subjecting air tothe action of an electric are adapted to ionize the air and producenitrogen-oxygen combinations therefrom and introducing the air thusmodified into the presence of the flour in quantities sufiicient toconvert part of the starch thereof into proteids.

8. The herein-described process which consists in subjecting a body ofair to the action of the flaming discharge of electricity, Withdrawingthe gaseous medium produced and introducing it in its electrifiedcondition into the presence of flour for the purpose described.

9. The process of treating flour which consists in subjecting the sameto the action of air in a state of ionization.

10. The process of treating flour which consists in subjecting the sameto the action of nitrogen modified by the electric discharge in air.

11. The process of treating flour which consists in subjecting the sameto the action of ionized nitrogen.

12. The process of treating flour which consists in subjecting the sameto the action of air which in turn has been so modified by electricalaction that it is capable of increasing the nitrogen contents of flour.

13. The process which consists in effecting chemical changes in thecomposition of flour by the action of a gas or gases in a condition ofionization.

14. The process which consists in effecting chemical changes in thecomposition of flour by the action of a gas or gases in a condition ofionization produced by the electric discharge in air.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JAMES N. ALSOP. WVitnesses:

F. B. KEEPER, Geo. W. REA.

